BROOKINGS – SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program has launched a shoe drive to collect 10,000 pairs of new or gently-worn shoes and donate them to Soles4Souls.

“One person’s unwanted shoes can help provide meaningful opportunities that many in developing nations need,” said Hilary Risner, SDSU Extension regional 4-H youth program adviser

This shoe drive is the 2018-19 South Dakota 4-H statewide community service project, selected by teen members during the annual SDSU Extension Teen Leadership Conference.

The shoes donated through this campaign will be delivered to Soles4Souls. Soules4Souls is a nonprofit social enterprise that creates sustainable jobs and provides relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world.

The shoes are sold for an average of $1 per pair to non-profit partners in developing countries, that provide business training to local entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs purchase the shoes and are then able to start businesses of their own selling the product in their local marketplaces. This allows entrepreneurs the opportunity to earn a sustainable income, and ultimately purchase necessities like food, shelter and education.

Soles4Souls’ micro-enterprise programs offer a long-term solution to poverty through job creation in places like Haiti, Honduras and Sierra Leone. They also give a second life to unwanted shoes, keeping them out of landfills and protecting the environment.

The income generated by selling just one pair of shoes in Haiti can provide up to five meals for a family in need. Whereas 30 pairs sold by an entrepreneur in Honduras can provide up to a year of schooling for a child.

“To know that we can create meaningful impact around the globe by simply collecting and donating what is otherwise destined for the trash is a really great feeling,” Risner said. 

Revenue generated by Soles4Souls’ micro-enterprise operations funds the organization’s free distribution programs, that provide new shoes to people in need both in the U.S. and around the world.

Founded in 2006, the organization has distributed more than 30 million pairs of new and gently-worn shoes in 127 countries.

If South Dakota 4-H members collect 10,000 pairs of shoes to help create sustainable job opportunities in places like Haiti, Honduras and parts of Africa, Soles4Souls will work with South Dakota 4-H to help organize a free shoe distribution with a local non-profit to help people in need in South Dakota.

“Millions of pairs of shoes lay idle in people’s closets,” said Risner. “So help South Dakota 4-H and Soles4Souls by donating the idle shoes in your closet instead, and know that you are taking a step to help disrupt the cycle of poverty around the globe.”

The shoe collection drive is running through Aug. 1, 2019. To participate, bring new or gently-worn shoes of any kind to your county SDSU Extension/4-H office or nearby SDSU Extension Regional Center.

For more information, contact Hilary Risner at 605-394-1722 or Amber Erickson at 605-688-4167.